drug therapy - biological therapy Flashcards
what does the biological treatment of schizophrenia involve
antipsychotic drugs
what are antipsychotic drugs
drugs that reduce the intensity of psychotic symptoms by correcting neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain
what are the 1st generation of antipsychotic drugs called
typical antipsychotics
what do typical antipsychotics work as
dopamine antagonists, they reduce dopamine activity by blocking dopamine receptors in the synapses in the mesolimbic pathway by reducing positive symptoms such as auditory hallucinations
what is an example of a typical antipsychotic
chlorpromazine
what does chlorpromazine do
treats symptoms of schizophrenia and acts as a sedative which keeps patients calm
what are the 2nd generation of antipsychotics
atypical antipsychotics
why were atypical antipsychotics developed
in response to concerns about serious side effects associated with typical antipsychotics
give examples for atypical antipsychotics
clozapine
risperidone
tell me about clozapine
binds to dopamine receptors and act on serotonin and glutamate receptors
what does clozapine do
treats psychotic symptoms but also improves mood and reduces depression and anxiety in patients
when is clozapine often prescribed
when a patient is at high risk of suicide
tell me about risperidone
binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors it is more effective in smaller doses
what are the evaluation points for drug therapy
support from thornley et al for typical
support from meltzer for atypical
chemical cosh argument
problems with effectiveness
what are the side effects of chlorpromazine
dizziness, agitation, sleepiness, stiff jaw, weight gain, itchy skin
what can long term use of chlorpromazine do
results in tardive dyskinesia
2% can be affected by coma and death
explain the evaluation point evidence or effectiveness by Thornley et al as an evaluation of drug therapy
data from 1121 participants showed that chlorpromazine was associated with better overall functioning, reduced symptoms and lower relapse rate compared to the placebo
explain the evaluation point evidence of effectiveness Meltzer as an evaluation of drug therapy
clozapine is more effective than typical antipsychotics and other atypical antipsychotics and is effective in up to 50% of cases where other have failed
what is the however point of Meltzer
results of studies comparing the effectiveness of clozapine and risperidone have been inconclusive, this might be due to the fact some patients respond better to one drug better than the other
explain the evaluation point with problems for evidence of effectiveness as an evaluation of drug therapy
some successful trials have had their data published multiple times exaggerating the evidence for effectiveness. Antipsychotics have powerful sedative and calming effects so it is easy to say they have a positive effect on patients. this is not the same as reducing the severity of psychosis most studies look at short term rather than long term benefits
explain the evaluation point the chemical cosh argument as an evaluation of drug therapy
it has been suggested that antipsychotic drugs have been used in hospitals to calm patients and make them easier to deal with, rather than benefit the patient themselves. this is seen by some as human rights abuse
what abuse is linked to the chemical cosh argument
human rights abuse
